The Valley Women's Union was established in 1974 by
members of the Valley Women's Center, Northampton,
Massachusetts, who were committed to political change
benefiting women. They were concerned that the Valley Women's
Center had become a static umbrella organization and that
many of its formerly vital functions had been absorbed by
local social service agencies.

The purpose of the new organization was to unify groups
working for political change, and to initiate action intended
to bring about change.